A FRENCH GILT-METAL AND ENGRAVED SILVER PRE-HAIRSPRING VERGE WATCH

SIMON GRIBELIN, BLOIS. CIRCA 1620

A FRENCH GILT-METAL AND ENGRAVED SILVER PRE-HAIRSPRING VERGE WATCH
SIMON GRIBELIN, BLOIS. CIRCA 1620
The oval case with engraved silver band with vignettes depicting the Evangelists, cast foliate stem with suspension loop, the silver front cover engraved to its outside with central scene of Adam and Eve with the serpent and with four further scenes from Genesis, and to the inside with a foliate band, the silver rear cover engraved to its outside with central scene of the Resurrection and with four further scenes from the New Testament, and to the inside engraved for a compass and sundial (both now lacking); the engraved gilt dial applied with an engraved Roman chapter ring, with central scene of the Flood, with 'Jehovah' inscribed in Hebrew above, flanked by figures emblematic of Life and Death and with memento mori symbols below, single blued steel hand; the oval gilt movement with four vase-shaped pillars, fusee (lacking gut line), steel balance with pierced and engraved pinned balance cock and set up cover (ratchet and set up wheel lacking), signed 'S. Gribelin/Bloys' with a flower; later key
2½ in. (6.5 cm.) long; 1½ in. (3.8 cm.) wide; 1 in. (2.6 cm.) deep

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Lot essay

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
E. von Bassermann-Jordan & H. von Bertele, Uhren, Braunschweig, 1969, p.122
Simon Gribelin is recorded in Blois from 1588, as married in 1593 and dying after 1633.
Von Bassermann-Jordan illustrates an oval pocket watch by Robert Grinkin of London with similar sprig engraving to the inside cover. An octagonal watch, also by Grinkin, and engraved with a scene depicting the baptism of Christ was sold anonymously, Sotheby's Geneva, 13 November 2007, lot 70. An oval engraved silver and gilt watch by Salomon Chesnon of Blois, its inner case also with compass and sundial, was sold anonymously, Sotheby's New York, 16 November 2008. See also, an oval watch with sundial and compass, its exterior case simply patinated, by Etienne Papon of Gien (a town further along the Loire from Blois), sold anonymously, Christie's London, 5 July 2002, lot 17.

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